Lightning Spear Veterinary Services LLC

02/25/2024

Who can tell us two reasons we call this substance “liquid gold”? Why would a foal need it and what happens if they need it but don’t get it?

Update/Answer: This is plasma, which is a commercial blood product taken from donor horse herds that are screened for diseases. It’s rich in gamma globulins, which are very important immune proteins. Foals normally absorb gamma globulins from a mare’s colostrum through their temporarily permeable intestinal wall in the first few hours of life. If the dam drips out her colostrum before the foal can nurse, if it’s poor quality, or if the foal is unable to nurse before the intestinal wall “seals” up, we give a IV transfusion of 1-3 liters of plasma to bring their levels up to normal.

I give ALL of our foals plasma routinely even if they get enough colostrum to further boost their immune systems, sometimes against specific diseases like Rhodococcus.
If foals don’t get enough gamma globulins from either colostrum or plasma their immune systems are severely compromised and they are susceptible to many different infectious diseases and conditions like infected umbilical remnants (“navel ill”) or infected joints (“joint ill”). Plasma’s ability to prevent that makes it invaluable.
Plasma is not cheap, since manufacturers must maintain herds of donor horses and the plasma is carefully processed and screened, so it’s liquid gold in terms of $!

02/10/2024

Remember!!
Make sure your horses are drinking!!! The weather is going to be cold and wet these next few days !!!

01/17/2024

01/16/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/GSGCVGrbpzDf5vvn/?mibextid=CTbP7E

Think dehydration in horses is only something to worry about on hot and sunny summer days? Think again. Vet Sarah Hunter MRCVS, from Clevedale Vets in North Yorkshire, explains why it’s a winter problem too and why it’s essential to do all that you can to avoid it when taking care of a horse. At...

12/13/2023

Just wanted to wish everyone a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year
from all of the Lightning Spear Team.
Dr Lowe will be unavailable from 12/12-1/3. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!!!

12/02/2023

We are at AAEP yearly educational meetings and the best part Vendor Trade show!!!! Can’t wait to share what we will be bringing home to keep your Equine partners Happy and Healthy!!!

12/02/2023

Guess what we will be offering!!!!

11/16/2023

Tiss the season for BANGs vaccinations and preg checking!!

11/03/2023

This week we got called out for a horse that got kicked by another horses. Which resulted in a comminuted diaphyseal fracture of the radius.
This evening we were called out for a horse with an injury to its shoulder. Turns out he was shot. It is hunting season but please don't mistake a horse for a deer...Please!

10/26/2023

Okay guys. I preach this a lot that everyone needs to do appropriate vaccinations on their horses and that you should have a vet do it. We did confirm the first EEE in Arizona last week. Use your vet for routine vaccinations so we have records and this can be avoided. This disease does have a 90% mortality rate. I was lucky to save this horses. However, most are not that lucky. Use your local veterinarian and get your horses vaccinated.

The horse lived in Cochise County.

05/26/2023

https://thehorse.com/190349/protect-your-horse-from-vesicular-stomatitis/

Researchers investigated how you can best protect your horses from contracting the vesicular stomatitis virus. Here’s what they found.

05/13/2023

This is why New Mexico is being so cautious. It's only going to get worse. Make sure you have current Coggins and health!!

05/11/2023

Remember June 11 2023.
OTC antibiotics become prescription only!!!
Make sure that you have a relationship with a veterinarian.
Without a doctor / patient relationship we cannot prescribe you anything!!!

Learn about the FDA changes regarding popular OTC antibiotics going to RX and what you need to do to prepare now.

03/18/2023

My schedule is closed till mid April. My books are full. I will still take emergency calls if they are real emergency calls.

02/26/2023

What is a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship?
A veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) is defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association as the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients and is critical to the health of your animal(s).
The practical explanation is that it is a formal relationship that you have with a veterinarian who serves as your primary contact for all veterinary services and is familiar with you, your livestock/animals, and your farm operation.
This veterinarian is referred to as your Veterinarian of Record (VoR), and both the VoR and the client should sign a form to document this relationship.

02/26/2023

As many of you know effective June 2023 all of your over the counter antibiotics that you can now buy at the feeds stores will become prescription only!!! What this means for us as your veterinary team is a lot more paperwork is going to be required for us as well as for our clients 😢. These new rules and regulations also require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. I will continue to post updates and information about these new rules and regulations.

02/21/2023

EHM has been confirmed in Arizona. Know the signs!

01/04/2023

Got called out to a dystocia this afternoon. Had to do a c-section. Always something interesting!

11/27/2022

Getting to watch over these amazing athletes this weekend! Korey Muller

11/21/2022

So many great things to learn! Coming home with a few new toys too!!! Love that I always have a chance to learn and grow my knowledge and what we can offer our clients!!! God is good!

10/01/2022

Beautiful day here at the rodeo.

09/27/2022

October is booking up fast! If you need cattle preg checked call and get on the books soon!

08/27/2022

Fixing legs

08/24/2022

I will no longer be allowing people to pay the next day or next month...... Payments are due at time of service...I can't buy more supplies if people don't pay their bills!